Acusada

'Acusada' is going to be remembered more for its restrained performances from Lali Esposito and Leonardo Sbaraglia than for its ragbag of a screenplay. Ever since Dolores Dreier (Esposito) was accused of murdering her best-friend, life has steadily been heading downhill for her. The film is partly a courtroom drama that focuses on proving/refuting her innocence, and partly an exploration of Dolores' personal demons.

It has been two years since the incident that left everyone in the Dreier household (comprising Dolores, her father Luis, her mom Betina, and her brother Martin) in a state of coldness, and Dolores has slowly gotten accustomed (though not completely) to her 'restricted' lifestyle. The film details the emotional turmoil faced by Dolores and her family before and during the trial process. Esposito, in a performance that requires her to retain a certain sense of mystery, is splendid. She is sensibly restrained, sometimes giving viewers the benefit of the doubt that she may be innocent as she claims, but at times, manipulative too because she doesn't have clear-cut answers to some straightforward questions.

A performance that's equally worth the mention is that of Leonardo Sbaraglia's (looking a bit like a gracefully aged Eric Bana), who, especially in the film's final quarter, is stupendous. Writers Ulises Porra and Gonzalo Tobal (who's also the director) don't exactly recreate the crime scene on-screen at any point, instead leaves that to the viewers to decipher through courtroom statements and the conversational exchanges between Dolores and her lawyer Ignacio (Daniel Fanego). However, for a crime thriller to have a successful follow-through post an above average build-up, it needs to provide convincing answers as to "who, why, and how". 'Acusada' wavers in focus when it comes to these essential genre elements and it seems content simply cracking the truth behind Dolores' conviction.

This, in turn, makes the film a just-about-okay watch at the end of it all when it could have been much more. There are also scenes that do not cohere, especially the one at Dolores' childhood farm that only pose more questions than answers. I, for one, am a fan of ambiguity (to a certain extent) in crime thrillers, but this one just leaves the door open for innumerable possibilities by the time the end credits start rolling.

An interesting theory is brought to question by Luis right before the day of the verdict but why this wasn't explored further was beyond me. With performances that clearly towered over the script, it wouldn't have hurt to stretch the film by an extra 20 or 30 minutes, if there were a twist or two in store. Unfortunately, 'Acusada' doesn't go that route and ends up being a straightforward courtroom drama!

For nearly two hours, we witness a sordid story and ... nothing ... There is not much going on. Is it voluntary? Taken in the judicial apparatus, one becomes a passive pawn lost in a Kafkaesque universe? Anyway, despite some undeniable qualities, the script is boring and I left the movie theater both disappointed and frustrated.

Horrible acting...off course, she is not a proffesional. And the script, please... Ten year old suspense fan could write a better script!!!

Dolores, post-adolescent daughter of upper middle class Buenos Aires parents, is on trial as the main suspect in the murder of her best friend. The point of this film is not to elucidate the crime, but rather to show that truly competent lawyers (generally, only accessible to the rich) can confuse the issues in a criminal trial, using all means at their disposal including the news media. The resulting uncertainty makes a reasonable verdict unlikely. The subject brings to mind real life examples such as O. J. Simpson's trial.

The movie can be described a courtroom drama. It may be especially interesting to Americans, since Argentine law does not generally grant trial by jury; lawyers argue and depose witnesses in front of a panel of judges who are in charge of the final verdict. Trials by jury were mandated in Argentina by the Constitution of 1853, but never implemented until the early 21st century and are still are vastly outnumbered by trials by judges.

Lali Espósito plays Dolores perfectly, without eliciting the sympathy of the viewer. There are glimpses of her personality, most of them disturbing. Leonardo Sbaraglia does an excellent job as her father and Daniel Fanego plays Dolores' lawyer chillingly. Gael García Bernal makes the most of a small part with his usual charisma and earnestness. Script and direction are smooth and seamless. A movie to watch.

What happened two years before? Is she really guilty or falsely acused? What hides beneath, when all have secrets?